Blood test apparatus and method of controlling the same

Abstract

A blood test apparatus having a simple constitution whereby stable measurement can be conducted by surely sampling the blood in an amount being small but sufficient for the test without placing too much burden on a patient.When a first skin contact sensor of this apparatus detects the skin, driving of a negative pressure unit is initiated (time point 166a). Thus, the skin rises and comes into contact with a second skin contact sensor (time point 166b). After piercing into the skin at time point 166c, the negative pressure supply is once ceased. Next, the negative pressure is applied again at time point 166d for a definite period of time. Thus, the opening in the skin is broadened, which facilitates the flow out of the blood (16).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a blood test apparatus and its control method used to examine blood components, for example.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Diabetes patients need to measure the blood sugar level regularly and administer insulin based on the blood sugar level to maintain a normal blood sugar level. To maintain this normal blood sugar level, diabetes patients need to measure the blood sugar level regularly, sample a small amount of blood from fingertips using a blood test apparatus, and measure the blood sugar level from this sampled blood.[0003]The conventional blood test apparatus generally uses a needle as a means for puncturing skin (see Patent Document 1, for example). As shown in FIG. 1, conventional blood test apparatus 1 which uses a needle as a puncturing means, includes: housing 2 that forms a chassis; cylindrical body 3 that is provided at which one side of housing 2 opens; plunger 4 that moves back and forth inside cylindrical body 3; handle 5, o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]Further, when suction is assumed in the actual applied situation, the following disadvantages become concerns. For example, assuming that skin is sucked using a negative pressure means such as a pump, when blood collection is detected and the negative pressure means stops operating, the patient moves the blood test apparatus or the finger when the operation noise of the negative pressure stops, which may make it impossible to perform measurement after blood collection in a stable manner. Further, when the negative pressure means is made to operate to collect blood, the conditions of skin such as hardness vary between patients, and so the amount of blood collected may become excessive or insufficient depending on the effect (a certain sucking force) of the negative pressure means. If the sucking force is made too large, blood is oversampled and a load is placed on the patient, and, if the sucking force is made too small, it is difficult to collect a small amount of blood required and enough for measurement.

[0015]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a blood test apparatus and its control method that can collect a small amount of blood required and enough for measurement in a reliable manner and perform stable measurement without placing a load on the patient with a simple configuration.Means for Solving the Problem

[0019]According to the present invention, it is possible to collect a small amount of blood required and enough for measurement and perform stable measurement without placing a load on the patient with a simple configuration.

Problems solved by technology

These preparation works are troublesome for diabetes patients with poor eyesight.

In addition, these works must be performed several times a day and are burdensome.

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